Décor Items That Can Inspire Your Next Travel Adventure

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Décor Items That Can Inspire Your Next Travel Adventure

You don’t need to be a seasoned traveler to decorate your home like you’ve travelled the globe. Instead of waiting around until you’ve built your souvenir collection, why not have décor items that can inspire your next travel adventure? Infuse your home with décor items from places on your travel destination wish list. Doing this serves as a constant reminder of all the places you’d like to visit, but can also be a motivator to work towards your goal. As you work your way around the globe, you can incorporate actual souvenirs into your décor scheme and put your memories on display.

Here are a few decor items that won’t only serve as inspiration for your next adventure, but will add to the visual appeal in any room of your home.

A Personal Photo Wall

Even if you’re not the best photographer, displaying photos you’ve taken on your own can be a great way to showcase your memories. The photos don’t have to be perfect, nor do you have to be in them. Photos of landscape are just as beautiful. Get creative with your wall, try funky frames or sticking

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Top 10 Home Improvements in Canada

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Deck

The end of a year is always a time for reflection. We thought therefore, that now is as good a time as any to explore what Canadian homeowners have been doing with their home improvement budgets .The results of our study were pretty revealing actually, although it’s transparent that windows weren’t a big thing.

Bathrooms, on the other hand, are another matter entirely. It seems that homeowners in every province rate bathroom renovations as important. Perhaps Canadians like to bathe in style or maybe the reason is based more on financial return than the desire to soak in a sumptuous tub. What makes basement renovations such a big deal though?

#10: Home Additions

Building a home add-on is generally one of the most expensive home improvement projects to take on. It’s no surprise therefore that home additions came in lowest on our top ten. However, on Prince Edward Island, home additions made a respectable number four.

#9: New Windows

Most Canadian homeowners appear to be satisfied that their windows are in good order, since new windows only made it to number nine. New windows were most popular in Manitoba and on Prince Edward Island. Even in these two provinces though,

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Bathroom Countertop Trends

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2016 Bathroom Countertop Trends

Whether you’re thinking about remodeling your entire bathroom or making a few upgrades, my guess is that the idea of replacing your bathroom countertops has crossed your mind. Homeowners not only want their bathroom counters looking great, but they want to know the durability grade, maintenance requirements and material costs of their favorite picks prior to making a final decision.

I’m not only going to dive deep into what materials are top-rated, but I’ll also cover edges, colors and design styles that are trending. It can’t hurt to just see what’s out there. Who knows? Maybe these recommendations will inspire your next bathroom upgrade!

Materials

Granite

I’m sure you’re familiar with granite because it gets talked about a lot over the years, but you might not be aware of everything it has to offer. Sure, it’s a little pricier than some of the other choices out there, but I think you’ll see why many homeowners consider this material well worth the investment.

 

Granite is a popular stone with luxurious qualities. You don’t have to worry about its durability or shelf-life because it’s resistant to stains, water and heat, and it’s known to last years. At the end

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Home Garden Trends

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NatureA favorite spot for many homeowners is their own backyard and garden. It’s a location that’s fun to personalize and reinvent each year. A lot of people find keeping up a garden to be a relaxing activity and gratifying experience. The best part about taking care of your own garden is admiring and enjoying it when it’s all done. It’s a project you can say you did yourself and something you can be proud of at the end of the day.

The 2016 home garden trends are innovating and redefining gardening as we know it. I’ve got new ideas, styles and terms that are going to help get you started on your plans and designs, as you think about how you want to upgrade your garden in the coming year.

Sentimental & Hardy Landscapes

Recalling sentimental memories and honoring family traditions is a big part of life. The home is a perfect place to make these warm and fuzzy feelings come alive. In 2016, you’re going to see homeowners re-living childhood memories through their garden. It’s all about reinventing a sentimental tradition or feature you remember as a kid. For example, a swing from a childhood lake house

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Snow Melting Mats Advantages & Costs

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Perhaps the most difficult part of winter is snow removal around the house. While the driveway does take up a majority of our shoveling or snow removing efforts, walkways and stairs are no short task.

Rather than shoveling, spending hours outside and possibly throwing out your back, many homeowners are biting the bullet and purchasing snow melting mats. These mats are safe, easy to install and of course, provide safe passage into the home.

Continue reading to see all there is to know about snow melting mats.

HeatTrak

When it comes to automatic snow melting, HeatTrak is the brand to know. They are the premier ice-melting manufacturer and you would be hard pressed to not find their products in a hardware store near you. Much of the information below relates to their snow melting products, as they are the dominant player in the industry.

Snow Melter Advantages

Other than the obvious, there are plenty of reasons to buy and install snow melting mats outside your home.

Easy Installation

Unlike a few other snow melting systems, snow melting mats are placed above the surface so there is no need for complicated installation. All you have to do is place the mat on your entrance, stairs or walkway and plug

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10 Home DIY Projects That Are Easier Than You Think

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No doubt it’s easier to go to the store and buy something than to make it with your own hands. There are a number of reasons to get into the DIY spirit, though. First and foremost, it’s possible to save a bundle by doing it yourself. But tackling a project instead of picking up an item off the shelf is also a way save money long term, because you’ll always know how to fix it and make another if need be.

Latex mattress. A high-quality mattress made of natural rubber can cost thousands of dollars. If you’re willing to do some research and put in the time, it’s possible to build your own version of a latex mattress for a third of the price. Renegade Health offers a tutorial using a latex pad, mattress cover and mattress pad. Before taking on this project, take some time to familiarize yourself with quality latex mattresses. Visit stores and test out the real thing to get a sense of what feels comfortable.

Sprinkler system. You don’t have to install an expensive in-ground sprinkler system to get a green lawn that’s the envy of the neighborhood. According the DIY website Instructables, anyone can rig up a

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Time To Get Festive: Decorating Your Windows For The Holidays

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It’s December, so you know what that means; it’s the holiday season! Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, you may want to decorate your home. Each holiday has its own customs and decorations and what better place to show them off than your windows.

There are several ways to decorate your windows for the holidays. Whether it be candles, wreaths or other options discussed below, your windows present a big opportunity to show your holiday pride. See several ways you can decorate your windows for the holidays.

Light Up Your Home

Show your holiday spirit with lights! Whether they’re red and green for Christmas, the traditional Kwanzaa colors of red, black and green or a wide array of different colors, stringing lights around your windows looks great for any holiday. They’re also good for drawing attention to other attractions you may have inside of your window.

Speaking of inside your window, you can also hang image-shaped lights. Most designs you can imagine have been made into a light display, such as snowflakes, The Star of David or even Santa Claus. They hang inside of your home and can be easily seen from far away.

Use Your Window Treatments to Decorate for the Holidays

Your window

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Help! I Was Sold a Bad Home. Now What?

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Sometimes all the safeguards the real estate industry has put in place to help prevent buyer’s remorse after purchasing a house still don’t work.

The process takes time for a reason, and you aren’t getting a home inspection for the fun of it. It can happen. You can buy a plot of disappointment.

It’s never easy to bounce back from purchasing a house you quickly wish you hadn’t bought. You’ve moved in. You may have nowhere else to go. You’ve not only spent a lot of money, but a lot of time and energy. And the law isn’t necessarily on your side. Still, if you’re determined to get your money back, or at least some satisfaction, you’ll want to remember the following.

Know your rights. Here’s the good news. You are (probably) within your rights to sue someone who knowingly sells you a house with serious problems.

“Most U.S. states have a home seller disclosure law that requires a seller to disclose defects in the home that they are aware of. Such defects include foundation and structural issues, roofing, HVAC, fireplace, basement, plumbing, electrical, siding, floors, walls, windows and even appliances,” says Lance Luke, owner of Construction Management Inspection, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

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Home Improvement Projects That Can Hurt Your Property Value

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Are you considering converting your home’s garage into a man cave? Before you permanently ditch parking and storage space in exchange for a testosterone-friendly getaway, you may want to consider this: your garage man cave project could hurt your home’s value and make it harder to sell.

Turning your garage into a living space is one of four home improvement projects highlighted by MarketWatch that could end up sucking the value out of your home.

Homeowners need to think carefully before they get rid of their garage and turn it into a man cave, family room or extra bedroom, because it could make their home less attractive to many people, New York real estate agent Brendon DeSimone, author of the book “Next Generation Real Estate,” told MarketWatch.

A recent survey by real estate investment and operating firm Crescent Communities found that 74 percent of homebuyers said having a garage is extremely or very important. If you still want to proceed with your garage project, consider leaving the garage doors on the outside so if you do sell your house, a buyer has the option to easily turn the space back into a garage, Michele Silverman Bedell, of New York-based Silversons Realty, told Marketwatch.

Here

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Pick Any Two

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This phrase has been bantered around for decades and most people assign the origin of it to project management. So what are contractors talking about when we say “pick any two?”

Well we can apply this to any scenario in your life (and there are tons of articles out there to explore it), but let’s apply it to your building project or renovation. The three bubbles of the Venn diagram (in construction) are usually Fast = schedule, Cheap = value / cost and Great = quality /craftsmanship.

The real issue for the homeowner is what does this mean to their project? Why is it I can’t have all three for my project? Well the best answer I have found recently was in a blog from a guy named Stefan Loble where he makes a comment to the effect that you cannot cheat any of the three aspects in any meaningful way; if you could it would become a “best practice” and would essentially support one of the aspects, thus making it impossible to cheat it.

So when we talk about the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), what sorts of things do we need to consider under the three categories of the “pick any two”

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How To Create A Gutter Garden

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Creating your own gutter garden is a great way to re-purpose worn out gutters to create a beautiful garden within a limited amount of space. Gutter gardens have been growing in popularity as city dwellers search for new ways to bring plants into their backyard. The best news is that this DIY project won’t cost you a ton of money and it’s a great way to take advantage of vertical spaces by securing your gutters vertically on a trellis or fence.

Whether you choose to fill your gutters with flowers, or edibles like strawberries and herbs, a gutter garden is sure to be a great addition to your patio, deck or backyard. Let’s get started!

Materials You’ll Need:

  • Gutters cut into equal sections
  • Gutter end caps (both right and left end caps!)
  • PVC glue
  • Mounting brackets and screws
  • Handsaw
  • Electric drill and drill bit, screw
  • Potting soil, flowers, and edibles of your choice.

Steps to Take:

  1. Clean out your gutters and clear them of any grime, dirt and flaking shingles. If you think that your gutters were painted with lead paint, do not use them as a planter for any edibles.
  2. Cut your gutters into equal sections using a handsaw.
  3. Glue your end caps on the right and left sides of your gutter.
  4. Drill
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4 Exterior Paint Colors That Will Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal

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The visual appearance of the exterior of your home is extremely important to your resale value and curb appeal. Oftentimes, homeowners are so worried about the interior of their house that they forget to give proper attention and care to the outside.

A fresh exterior is one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to boost your home’s curb appeal. Although some of us like our home to be noticed, it’s important that the color and appearance blends in with neighborhood. I’m going to share with you what experts rank as the top four home exterior color schemes that will help you sell your house and boost your curb appeal.

1. Shades of Green & Brown

Various shades of green and brown are great because they’re colors found in nature that easily blend in with surrounding landscape. In established neighborhoods, it’s suggested that the darker of shade the better. If you want to incorporate a little more color then it’s advised to mix in some red with your shades of green and brown.

 

In order to liven up your home the right way, This Old House suggests selecting colors that are opposite each other on a color wheel (i.e. green and red). Be sure

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Home Improvement Project Organization Tips

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We’ve all done it. You’re in a hurry to dig into a home improvement project, so you barrel off to the hardware store, home center, or lumberyard without first taking inventory of exactly what you need. Multiple trips later to the hardware store, home center, or lumberyard, the job is completed, but you’re exhausted. The idea with the list that follows is that it forces you to think through every step of the job. In doing so, you’ll be more likely to do the job efficiently. You’ll eliminate unnecessary trips to the hardware store, or even to the toolshed or workshop.

Preparation

Much like anything in life, preparation is key. The more you plan ahead, the smoother your project should be. Below are the steps you should take before every home remodeling project.

  • Gather information, preferably from more than one source.
  • Identify the processes involved (see list below).
  • Identify tools needed.
  • Make a sketch or a plan of the project.
  • Prepare and protect the work area.
  • Bring tools to the work area.
  • Bring materials to the work area.

Materials

Every project needs tools and materials. Believe us, they make a world of a difference.

  • Make a list of all materials needed.
  • Divide the list into what you have and what you need to buy.

From Start
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10 Easy DIYs That Will Instantly Upgrade Your Home

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There’s always something you could be remodeling in your home, but why spend time and money redoing when there are simple DIY tricks that’ll get you a similar look at a more reasonable price? The best part is that most of these projects can be done over the course of a weekend.

There’s something for every room and projects that are most likely staring you in the face, including those you’ve been ignoring because you’re not sure where to start. See 10 easy and budget-friendly DIY ideas that’ll have your home looking glamorized in no time.

1. Replace Light Shades & Switch Covers

Take a look around your house and inventory how many lamp or pendant light shades you have that are only useful for collecting dust. Replacing light shades is a simple touch that can really brighten up a room.

 

Hop online and search for light shades and covers that’ll mesh well in your style of home. There are thousands of colors and designs to choose from. While you’re at it, take note of your light switch covers and get those replaced at the same time. One idea is to purchase inexpensive craft store frames which will fit perfectly around your light switch covers

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How To Create A Home Coffee Station

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If you’re anything like me, your day has not truly started until you’ve had your first cup of coffee. During the winter, how nice is it to warm up with a nice cup of coffee without ever leaving the house? Creating your very own home coffee station is quite easy. All you’ll need is your machine, some essential coffee accessories, a little decorative touch and you’ll be good to go!

Let’s raise a cup o’ Joe to these stellar coffee station tips

Step 1: Determine the Location

Your first step to a home coffee station is location, location, location. The most obvious setting for a coffee station would be right on your kitchen counter. If you’re a frequent dairy user for your coffee, it might make the most sense for you to locate it near the refrigerator. You can use a decorative tray as a base to put all your coffee essentials in a group to decrease clutter. However, it’s no longer “a rule of thumb” that your coffee station has to be located in your kitchen. If your kitchen does not have ample amounts of counter space, you can just as well place a coffee bar in another location such as your

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Tile Trends

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Tile styles transform and evolve every year, and at some point we all get sick of looking at our old tiles. You’ll be glad to know that there are some hot new designs, styles, colors and shapes entering homes in 2016.

It’s likely you have tile installed somewhere in your house, so it’s good for you to know what features interior designers are endorsing as the latest trends. See below to check out what tile trends are currently making a big splash.

Chevron-Patterned Tiles

Chevron is having yet another comeback and this time it’s in homes. The design consists of inverted “v” shapes that mold together to form a unique and attractive pattern often used for floors, walls and as an eye-catching backsplash.

The interesting part about chevron is that it’s both a trend and a tradition. What I mean, is that when something’s hot it spreads to homes everywhere very quickly and is sometimes overdone, but at the same time it’s a safe look that won’t go out of style. When the pattern is used properly and sparingly it has a dramatically wonderful aesthetic appeal, as displayed in the image above.

Brick Tile

Each season industry design experts select a favorite shape and this year

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Getting Your Property Tenant Ready

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If you currently own a home and are thinking about using your basement or condo as means of generating some extra income, you are not alone. According recent statistics about 1 in 20 Canadian households own some form of income property. The perks of leasing a property can far outweigh the negatives, if done properly.

Before you decide to post an ad on Kijiji or contact a real estate agent, it is very important to understand what leasing a portion of your property may entail. This quick list will get your property rental-ready in no time.

  1. Fire and Carbon monoxide poisoning prevention 

    Ontario law requires all homes to have a working smoke and carbon monoxide detector and it is your responsibly as a Landlord to ensure that your property is equipped with these essential products. Make sure you hire a licensed contractor to install the detectors if you are not confident in your ability to do so on your own. This may cost you a few dollars but it will protect your tenants from harm and will absolve you of any responsibility for damages that may occur from fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.

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Detox Your Home in Minutes

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Inside your home can be 5 times more toxic than outdoors. This is attributed to a number of different factors including poor air-quality, off-gassing from furniture, pesticides brought inside from footwear and harmful plastics in the form of food containers. We all want to protect ourselves and families from harm and ridding your home of dangerous materials and chemicals is great way to start.

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Bell Fined $1.25-Million for Fake Reviews

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The Competition Bureau set a precedence this week by fining BCE Inc. $1.25 million, after it was revealed that employees within the company were leaving fraudulent reviews for “MyBellMobile” and other applications found in the Apple AppStore.

Even though the fine may come as a surprise to many, fraudulent reviews are actually becoming more prevalent in corporate environments like Bell, where high level executives are expected to be well-versed on ethical business practices.

In 2010, The Better Business Bureau was exposed by ABC news for giving good grades to companies who had negative reputations but paid money for BBB accreditation. The company was forced to close several of its chapters due to accusations of corruption and fraud. We also discussed the relevance of the Better Business Bureau and why customers and businesses alike need to be mindful to gather information from a number of sources before making certain decisions. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/can-you-trust-better-business-bureau-max-sheppard

Suggested For You

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  • Up to 47% of Contractors may be Using Fake Reviews, Study Reveals
  • Why Your Business Needs Quality Online Reviews

TrustedPros regularly flags suspicious submissions it receives and alerts the Competition Bureau about the possibility of contractors

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The ‘Empowered Homeowner’

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Working Together to Get the Job Done

Any professional in residential construction knows that keeping customers happy likely presents the biggest day-to-day challenge. Today’s homeowner has fundamentally changed the construction model for design and renovation for both homeowners and the home industry professionals and vendors who serve them.

How Has Renovating Changed?

1. Technology is disrupting old models

The barriers that previously limited a homeowner’s ability to access information, ideas, and find talent are no more! Mobile technologies such as Internet-based apps, software, and social networks have helped to educate the homeowner online and instill a new confidence and desire to not only be informed, but to also be more involved.

2. Communication must be flexible

More often than not, homeowners are using websites and apps on their tablets and mobile devices to plan their home project. Homeowners now expect more frequent, visual, and mobile communications, and less in-person meetings.

3. Homeowners are empowered

The new construction model places the homeowner at the centre of the project as an active participant, not bystander. They want to source and hire and the best professionals, with personalities they like and trust can execute their vision. They want to purchase products and materials that meet all of their criteria. They are

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